On the Tracks
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BUSHWALKING VICTORIA BUSHWALKING TRACKS AND CONSERVATION A0002548Y PO Box 1007 Templestowe Vic 3106 Phone: 8846 4131 [email protected] www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au On the Tracks Issue 1, January 2014 In this issue Welcome to On the Tracks ...................................................... 2 Editor: Joslin Guest BEC Becomes BTAC .................................................................. 2 Deadline for next Issue: 17 February 2014 How BTAC Operates ................................................................ 3 Send reports, photos and articles to: Tracks and Conservation Schedule 2014 ................................. 4 [email protected] Include On the Tracks in the Subject line Field Officer Reports ................................................................ 7 Activity Reports ....................................................................... 8 Conservation Issues ............................................................... 10 Volunteer Profile ................................................................... 14 Kurth Kiln track maintenance team—building steps Bushwalking Victoria Office Manager: [email protected] Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Convener: [email protected] Projects Coordinator: [email protected] On the Tracks - Issue 1-1401Jan.doc Page 1 of 16 BUSHWALKING VICTORIA BUSHWALKING TRACKS AND CONSERVATION A0002548Y PO Box 1007 Templestowe Vic 3106 Phone: 8846 4131 [email protected] www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au On the Tracks Issue 1, January 2014 Welcome to On the Tracks Welcome to the first issue of Bushwalking Victoria’s On the Tracks newsletter for Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC). On the Tracks will be emailed to BTAC volunteers, club contacts, field officers and committee members . The newsletter aims to provide an effective way to share information between BTAC members at all levels. We plan for the On the Tracks newsletter to be emailed every second month to each person on the BTAC database, and a Bulletin to be emailed when something of importance comes up or changes occur at short notice. Both the newsletter and bulletin are ‘works in progress’ with regard to content, format and timing. And we need your input and feedback about these. We also want to you contribute reports on your activities, promote upcoming track and conservation events you are planning, raise issues that you think should be addressed, or simply forward articles of interest from another source. We want the newsletter and bulletin to be a ‘two-way street’. We hope you have enjoyed your BTAC work activities during 2013 and look forward to working with you on the tracks in 2014. Megan Major, Convener BTAC BEC Becomes BTAC For many years, Bushwalking Victoria has had a standing committee known as the Bushwalking Environment Committee (BEC). As a result of the review which we carried out as part of the process of evolving our new Strategic Plan, we came to the conclusion that we needed to change the focus of BEC in two ways: To provide a more proactive focus on tracks and trails strategy – ie, to concentrate on looking at opportunities for new or upgraded tracks and trails and to be able to articulate a vision of the bushwalking facilities that we wanted for the future To increase the focus on engaging with key land-manager decision makers so that we can influence planning as it affects bushwalkers more effectively and at an earlier stage. As part of this change, we decided to rename BEC to reflect more closely its new and expanded role. From now on, BEC will be known as Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC). BTAC will be represented by two Board members: Megan Major, who will be the convenor of the committee and will play a major role in land manager liaison Charlie Ablitt, who will lead the tracks and trails development and conservation projects. In practice, they will overlap in their roles. They will work together to ensure that bushwalkers needs and wishes are clearly stated and understood, and will continue the outstanding work BEC did over many years. They will work with the other members of the BTAC committee: Phil Brotchie, Joslin Guest, Dave Rimmer and David Miller, and will be supported by a network of BTAC field officers, club contacts and the many volunteers who make our track work possible. Tony Walker, Bushwalking Victoria President Bushwalking Victoria Office Manager: [email protected] Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Convener: [email protected] Projects Coordinator: [email protected] On the Tracks - Issue 1-1401Jan.doc Page 2 of 16 BUSHWALKING VICTORIA BUSHWALKING TRACKS AND CONSERVATION A0002548Y PO Box 1007 Templestowe Vic 3106 Phone: 8846 4131 [email protected] www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au On the Tracks Issue 1, January 2014 How BTAC Operates BTAC operates at four levels. Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation volunteers do the hands-on work on tracks and conservation projects that have been approved by Parks Victoria, now part of Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI). Work may include clearing vegetation, constructing or repairing steps or rails, fixing netting on boardwalks, installing or replacing signs, clearing water bars, removing noxious weeds or any other work that Parks Victoria/DEPI would like Bushwalking Victoria to help with. If you are already a volunteer and want more information about forthcoming projects, contact Charlie Ablitt, Projects Coordinator, at [email protected] If you wish to be added to our list of BTAC volunteers, contact Patricia Scales, Bushwalking Victoria’s Office Manager at [email protected] Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation club contacts act as a point of contact to receive information about projects and to advise BTAC of track/conservation issues and activities that concern their club. This contact person should have a close relationship with the local Parks Ranger, Friends Group or Advisory Group which may have a common interest. To update club contact details, contact Patricia Scales, Bushwalking Victoria’s Office Manager, at [email protected] If your club is planning a local track or conservation activity and would like additional help, contact Charlie Ablitt, Projects Coordinator, at [email protected] Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation field officers are appointed by the BTAC and are responsible for a designated geographic area. They liaise and network with local clubs and land managers and report monthly to BTAC. They are expected to be long-term appointees and not subject to changes at club committee level. They should be frequent visitors to their area and build strong relationships with land managers. Their task is to identify issues, recommend possible courses of action, research and investigate issues as requested. The Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Committee is a standing committee of Bushwalking Victoria. It replaces the Bushwalking Environment Committee. Its role is to develop, coordinate, promote and administer all of the above. If you have questions or issues that you want the committee to address, contact the BTAC Convener, Megan Major, at [email protected] Bushwalking Victoria Office Manager: [email protected] Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Convener: [email protected] Projects Coordinator: [email protected] On the Tracks - Issue 1-1401Jan.doc Page 3 of 16 BUSHWALKING VICTORIA BUSHWALKING TRACKS AND CONSERVATION A0002548Y PO Box 1007 Templestowe Vic 3106 Phone: 8846 4131 [email protected] www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au On the Tracks Issue 1, January 2014 Tracks and Conservation Schedule 2014 BTAC Parks Victoria / DEPI Club Combined Groups Friends Group Independent Hawkweed Survey, Falls Places still available on these dates. Creek Accommodation is provided by Falls Creek Resort Management, Mon 6 - Fri 10 Jan including breakfast, morning & afternoon tea each day. Mon 13 - Fri 17 Jan For more information or to register interest, contact Mon 20 - Fri 24 Jan Yohanna Aurisch 0427 387 806 [email protected] Organiser: Parks Victoria Sallow Willow eradication, Once again Parks Victoria has invited us to partake in the Annual Falls Creek Willow Hunt on the Bogong High Plains at Falls Creek on the Sat 25 - Mon 27 Jan 20 Australia Day weekend, 25-27 January 2014. Organisers: BTAC, Parks In 2014 we are arranging the activity to suit everyone, from the Victoria comfort loving to the rugged camper. We are looking for: 20 people to work out of Falls Creek. Accommodation will be at the Viking Ski Lodge. 18 people who will work from a base camp on Mt Bogong. Please send your expression of interest ASAP to Charlie Ablitt at [email protected] or 0400 967 054. AAWT and Baw Baw feeder Bushwalking clubs and individuals are invited to join local Parks track clearing Victoria staff, Friends of Baw Baw National Park and the Strzelecki Fri 14 - Mon17 Mar Bushwalking Club over a 4-day track clearing activity on the Baw Organisers: Parks Victoria, Baw Plateau (Baw Baw National Park). Friends of Baw Baw NP, The activity will focus on clearing the walking track network Strzelecki Bushwalking Club between Jeep Track Flat and the Baw Baw Alpine Resort, including a section of the AAWT across Mt St Phillack. This will further enhance walking opportunities in Baw